Non-antibiotic pill to help prevent infections after GI surgery
Official title: A novel, non-antibiotic, microbiome-directed agent to prevent post-surgical infection
Funded at Covira Surgical · NIH-11322643 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new oral treatment called CS-0003 aims to keep gut bacteria healthy and reduce surgical site infections after GI operations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Covira Surgical NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (North Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,000,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R42AI174369-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11322643 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing gastrointestinal surgeries who are at risk for surgical site infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unlikely to benefit may include those not undergoing GI surgery or with conditions that contraindicate the therapy.
What this research studies
This project targets preventing infections after GI surgeries by using a first-in-class, non-antibiotic therapy taken by mouth. It focuses on preserving beneficial gut microbes while limiting the harmful activity of pathogens that can cause wound and organ infections around the surgical site. The plan includes testing how well CS-0003 works to reduce infection risk in people undergoing GI procedures, with careful monitoring for safety and any effects on the gut microbiome. If successful, this approach could lower hospital stays and antibiotic use while safeguarding patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If CS-0003 works as intended, patients could experience fewer infections after GI surgery and potentially shorter hospital stays.
How similar studies have gone: Previous non-antibiotic microbiome-directed strategies have shown promise in reducing infection-related complications in surgical or immune-related settings, but this is a novel first-in-class approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Covira Surgical
North Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hennessey, Patrick — Covira Surgical
- Study coordinator: Hennessey, Patrick
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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A new treatment to prevent infections after gastrointestinal surgeries
This study is testing a new oral treatment called CS-0003 to help prevent infections after gastrointestinal surgeries by supporting good bacteria in your gut while keeping harmful ones at bay, making it easier for patients to recover safely.
-
Developing a new treatment to prevent infections and gastrointestinal issues from chemotherapy
This study is testing a new treatment designed to help protect your gut health during chemotherapy, making it safer and more effective by reducing the risk of infections and other problems.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.